Occupational Fitness Assessments in Healthcare Workers with Psychiatric Disorder

Introduction Healthcare professionals are exposed to numerous stressors in their work environment, which can lead to psychiatric disorders. Objectives To describe the profile of healthcare professionals who requested a fitness-for-duty evaluation due to a psychiatric disorder and to identify the recommended workplace adaptations. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in the University Hospital Sahloul of Sousse (Tunisia) over a three-year period (2022-2024). Data from healthcare staff who consulted for fitness-for-duty evaluations related to psychiatric conditions were collected, including age, work experience, job position, psychiatric diagnosis, and fitness-for-duty decisions. Results The study included 13 healthcare professionals comprising 6 senior technicians, 6 nurses, and 1 worker. The average age was 45 ± 3.2 years, with an average seniority of 11 ± 2.8 years. The most common psychiatric conditions were anxiety-depressive syndrome (10 cases), post-traumatic stress disorder (2 cases), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (1 case). All patients were on antidepressants and/or anxiolytics at the time of consultation. The fitness-for-duty decisions included recommendations for avoiding night shifts and exposure to stressful situations. Conclusions Psychiatric disorders among healthcare workers present significant challenges for occupational health services. Workplace adaptations, such as avoiding night shifts and stressful environments, may be necessary to facilitate a return to or continuation of work. Disclosure of Interest None Declared